News Walt Disney World to resume complimentary parking at its resort hotels

[Chi84]

I thought Disney only makes decisions on getting as much money as possible and doesn’t care at all about the guest experience. How can this be possible?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Bravo. Mentioned in the Harmounious thread that you got to give credit where its due. No Barges in the lagoon, and reinstating free parking are big wins so far this year.

I’d say they’re customer friendly moves…so no doubt credit there

“Big wins” might be a bridge too far. Shouldn’t have messed these up in the first place and that was on iger’s watch

 

[Ayla]

I'll take it and not look a gift horse in the mouth. A small change that will save people money.

 

[Tha Realest]

It does seem like there’s a legitimate way to doubt that at this point.

Hey…I’m a clown…and I know it seems like I just ramble…most of the time

But usually I don’t ramble. I think fast and this stuff is contemplated before I post it…I swear

I don’t think you’re a clown. I’m trying to process all this. One school of thought is “they’re doing this because it’s the right thing to do” and they’re becoming more customer-oriented (cue the ‘Daddy Josh’ types).

The other part of me, the more cynical side, tells me they wouldn’t be doing any of this unless reservations and future bookings have fallen off a cliff.

I read your remarks (and where my current mind is at) that these moves are motivated out of a place of panic than sudden generosity

 

[fgmnt]

So is this Iger?

Or has Josh run round and torn down some of the Chapek era. Burnt it, then stamped on it. Whilst singing Happily Ever After?

Iger said he wanted to re delegate to the people in charge of what they’re hired to do, and made some vague overtures to the crisis of confidence in the parks division that had breached containment. I imagine the head of the division was tasked to find some easy wins and these were the ones that were found. Any money they are forgoing on resort parking, mandatory AP reservations, and Photopass bundling on Genie+ is a rounding error, and the costs are already baked in to operations.

All that being said, any signs of life from D’Amaro? No instagram post in 2 months and i don’t believe i’ve seen his name on anything.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I thought Disney only makes decisions on getting as much money as possible and doesn’t care at all about the guest experience. How can this be possible?

They made the mistakes…we gonna gloss over that inconvenient truth, Al?

Proper credit is due…patronizing, apologetic indignant? We’re not there yet

I’m thirsty for more such moves

 

[mikejs78]

Combination of both? Iger to Josh - what can we do super quick that can turn the tide a little?

Probably- Iger set the tone to right some of the wrongs, Josh is starting to do some of the things he would have liked to do had he not had the penny-pinching eye of Chapek looking over his shoulder....

 

[pdude81]

Magical Express or we riot.

Honestly I feel like Mears Connect is more efficient than than DME ever was, now that they have the little vans set up for some routes and they give you regular text updates. I've called Mears a couple times even late at night and there was always someone there to take the call and help me with any issues. And so far the only issues I've had were mistakes I made when overtired on race weekends.

 

[Purduevian]

Wonder if you will still get free parking at the parks with your hotel stay...

 

[drizgirl]

However waiting for the other shoe to drop, resort fees appearing…

Nah. This is a PR move and that would just be worse than doing nothing.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Wonder if you will still get free parking at the parks with your hotel stay...

Nope, and they're going to charge for bus rides, too.

 

[Chi84]

I don’t think you’re a clown. I’m trying to process all this. One school of thought is “they’re doing this because it’s the right thing to do” and they’re becoming more customer-oriented (cue the ‘Daddy Josh’ types).

The other part of me, the more cynical side, tells me they wouldn’t be doing any of this unless reservations and future bookings have fallen off a cliff.

I read your remarks (and where my current mind is at) that these moves are motivated out of a place of panic than sudden generosity

Nope. The parks are packed and there’s no reason to think they won’t continue to be packed. This is management walking back some bad decisions. Hopefully some way of pre-scheduling line skips will follow soon.

 

[dreday3]

Nope. The parks are packed and there’s no reason to think they won’t continue to be packed. This is management walking back some bad decisions. Hopefully some way of pre-scheduling line skips will follow soon.

All I want at this point is hopping back to normal. And not just for annual pass holders.

 

[EeyoreFan#24]

I think it’s a good move. Everything is going to get covered somehow, so make it one fee for the guests and let the accountants figure it out. I have always have been in favor of one flat rate for everything up front, even if it’s a little offset by what would be extra fees.

 

[kaos]

It’s riviera…

And you pick one of the more overpriced meals on the property

they're all in that same $55-65 per person range. So it really doesn't matter which one you pick. Enjoy the experience wherever you'd like

 

[drizgirl]

I guess Bob really felt the costs were out of hand.

You mean the costs he put in place?

 

[Lilofan]

Iger said he wanted to re delegate to the people in charge of what they’re hired to do, and made some vague overtures to the crisis of confidence in the parks division that had breached containment. I imagine the head of the division was tasked to find some easy wins and these were the ones that were found. Any money they are forgoing on resort parking, mandatory AP reservations, and Photopass bundling on Genie+ is a rounding error, and the costs are already baked in to operations.

All that being said, any signs of life from D’Amaro? No instagram post in 2 months and i don’t believe i’ve seen his name on anything.

Josh is a presenter in a festival conference South by Southwest in Austin TX in March about creating happiness.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Maybe happier guests will spend more and some may get more into credit card debt?

And stop the fights at Philharmagic…

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Combination of both? Iger to Josh - what can we do super quick that can turn the tide a little?

You know the P&R guy has very little say on anything over $5…

…but at least this day reverses a trend of customer unfriendly policies that have gone on for an eternity

 

[wdwmagic]

Wonder if you will still get free parking at the parks with your hotel stay...

Yes